School of Communication Fast-Track Bachelor's to Master's Programs
Earn Two Degrees in Five Years or Less
As part of Point Park University's fast-track bachelor's to master's programs, School of Communication students begin graduate courses as an undergrad, finishing their Master's degree sooner.
Some of the benefits include:
- Saving time by completing graduate courses as an undergraduate allows you to finish your master’s degree sooner.
- Saving money by taking graduate courses as an undergrad: in fall and spring semesters, you are charged the same flat undergrad rate, as long as you do not take more than 18 credits. In those semesters, your graduate coursework is included for no additional tuition charge.*
- Trying out graduate study to confirm that it’s right for you.
- Flexibility, with both on-ground and online programs available.
- Some graduate classes may count toward your bachelor’s degree (consult your advisor/school/department to see if this applies to you).
- A 25% alumni discount on most graduate programs after graduation.
Some programs allow admitted students to start taking classes as soon as the summer before junior year, so it’s never too early to start thinking about graduate study! Students should apply for graduate program admission before starting to take graduate coursework; contact the Office of Graduate and Online Admission for details.
*Summer classes will incur additional charges; check with Financial Aid to make sure you are eligible and packaged for aid for the summer.
The fast-track program allows undergraduate students to begin taking graduate classes during their final year of undergraduate study.
As an undergraduate student:
- Get in touch with your advisor and express interest in completing the fast-track program. They will then connect you to the Office of Graduate Admission and Dr. Jenna Lo Castro, graduate programs director.
- Review the program requirements online and choose a concentration in PR/AD or Social Media.
- In your junior year, apply through the Office of Graduate Admission. Your key contact is Kevin McCullough.
-
- A one-page essay that states why you are interested in the program. You would also want to write what you would like to do career-wise after you graduate with the degree.
- A resume
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation from either academic or professional sources. These letters should speak to your ability for graduate work, as well as your ability to start a graduate program early.
Fast-Track Programs
B.A. or B.F.A./M.A. in Public Relations, Advertising and Social Media
This fast-track program is available to School of Communication students majoring in: broadcasting, digital journalism, multimedia, photography and sports communication.
B.A. or B.F.A./Rowland School of Business Graduate Degree (M.A., MBA or M.S.)
This fast-track program is available to School of Communication students majoring in: broadcasting, digital journalism, multimedia, photography, public relations, advertising and social media and sports communication. Students will select one of the following graduate programs in the Rowland School of Business:
- M.A. in Organizational Leadership, offered fully online
- MBA, offered on-site and fully online
- M.S. in Information Systems and Business Analytics, offered on-site
B.A. or B.F.A./School of Education Master's Degrees (M.Ed. or M.A.)
This fast-track program is available to all School of Communication majors. The School of Education's fast-track programs offer highly motivated undergraduates in any degree program the opportunity to complete both their bachelor’s and Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees, including Pennsylvania teacher certification, within 4½ years, including summer terms. Fast-track program options include:
- M.Ed. in Pre-K to Grade 4 Education (with Pa. Certification)
- M.Ed. in Special Education Pre-K to Grade 12 (with Pa. Certification)
- M.Ed. in Secondary Education Grades 7–12 (with Pa. Certification)
- M.Ed. in Athletic Coaching (non-certification program; begins junior year)
Students in the Pre-K to Grade 4, Special Education and Secondary Education tracks complete their in-person student teaching and certification requirements during the final fall semester of the program.